Partner visas: Processing delays double, total onhand applications now over 210,000

Partner visas: Processing delays double, total onhand applications now over 210,000

A request by the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on partner visas has uncovered increasing delays in processing applications, which in turn ridicules claims made by the government that it has reduced Australia’s permanent visa grant numbers.

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Regional 494 and 491 visas: Minimum salary/income threshold set to TSMIT $53,900 per year

Regional 494 and 491 visas: Minimum salary/income threshold set to TSMIT $53,900 per year

The Department of Home Affairs has made known that the minimum salary threshold for nominations for 494 visa and the minimum taxable income threshold for 191 visas will be pinned to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) which is currently $53,900 per annum, with exceptions for 494 nominations under labour agreements and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs). There is, however, an important difference on how this will operate for both visas.

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Distinguished Talent visas can now be lodged online

Distinguished Talent visas can now be lodged online

Distinguished Talent visas, which are subclass 124 and 858 visas, can now be made online through the Department of Home Affairs’ website. This is different from an Internet application, which is also explained as well as the benefits and detriments to both methods.

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2019-20 Migration planning levels; SA’s push for migrants; historic GSM and business skills nomination ceilings

2019-20 Migration planning levels; SA’s push for migrants; historic GSM and business skills nomination ceilings

While it was known that Australia’s permanent migration intake would be cut from 190,000 to 160,000 starting in the 2019-20 program year, which visa categories will suffer more can now be determined. Also, a recent Freedom of Information request shows why South Australia requested more migration places and what the nomination ceilings were for each State and Territory for General Skilled Migration and business skills visas.

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